While the previously announced joint tour between the Armed and HO99O9 was shaping up to be one of the fall’s most must-see events, a series of financial and situational challenges have forced the two chaotic live acts to cancel the trip altogether.
Word of the scrapped shows arrived this morning (August 21st) through the Armed’s Instagram page, with the subversive hardcore unit explaining that a “domino effect” of behind-the-scenes snafus and emergencies —whether health, weather or personal — have made their proposed September/October run with HO99O9 financially untenable.
While the band were “were hoping to quietly outmaneuver” these challenges behind the scenes, regrettably they do not have the financial resources to stage the trip as planned. So, outside of a few festival performances, the dates have been canceled.
“We know this is a huge letdown,” the Armed wrote. “Please know the feeling is mutual. This is easily the coolest bill we could’ve imagined and we were over the moon to bring it to life.”
The Armed went on to explain the precarious nature of touring as an independent act, with the increased costs of touring over the past few years — and in life, in general — playing a part in their decision.
“The finances of an indie band across the board are quite tenuous, and often dealt with in the aggregate. And one (or in this case, several) things going wrong often has consequences down the line,” they added. “We seek NO extra sympathy. We apologize to you for the inconvenience. Countless peers are in very similar situations constantly—often handled quietly by a lot of elbow grease and cleverness. This is the unfortunate one that just pushes a bit past the breaking point.”
HO99O9 likewise expressed their disappointment in the tour cancelation, though it seems they’re turning lemons into lemonade. While they won’t be hitting the road, HO99o9 at least report that they’re spending the fall putting work into a developing follow-up to 2022 full-length SKIN. Most recently, the dup dropped their “Off The Meter” collaborative single with Boys Noize in June.
“As y’all know we take our live shows very serious,” they wrote. “We’re focusing on making that a better experience for y’all & currently finalizing and focused on our third album. Bummer we won’t be able to cross paths this fall. Truly appreciate your patience.”
The Armed are still due to play Chicago, Illinois’ Riot Fest in September, while both bands will be hitting the Louder than Life fest in Louisville, Kentucky later that month, and Sacramento’s Aftershock event the following month. HO99O9 are also due to perform at the Miami, Florida instalment of the Rolling Loud hip-hop festival in December.